DOLORES, Eastern Samar—More than 3,000 poor families in this town, or a third of the population, have been benefiting from the national government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.
Analyn Aznar, the town’s 4Ps coordinator, said the number has been rising as the covered age of children who are studying secondary education was extended from 15 to 18 years old.
Out of the 46 villages of this town, 44 are covered by the antipoverty program. The other two villages are not included in the list since it is primarily a trading center.
The total budget from the DSWD regional office as of the latest payout for the months of March and April 2013 was more than P6 million for the 3,146 household recipients.
“We could see that the cash assistance granted to the families is not only intended for buying school supplies of the children, but also spent for the basic needs of the family,” Aznar said.
She believed that 4Ps created a difference in the lives of its beneficiaries and that they are now on their way to slowly achieving the goals and objectives of the program.
Susan Lorezo, 42, a 4Ps beneficiary, said the program is of big help to indigents like them. Being a housewife, her family relies on her husband who earns P300 a day from carpentry.
“P300 is insufficient for the daily needs of a family of six. This cash grant helps me buy school supplies for my children, especially now that classes will reopen soon,” Lorezo said.
Meanwhile, Aznar said their office is also conducting the family-development session monthly. It is a discussion on topics, like how to make couples’ relationship stronger, how to properly treat their kids, and other things which would nourish family bond. She said the activity raises awareness among households regarding family matters, hence contributing to building better communities.
Dolores, a third-class town, is in the northern part of Eastern Samar province, a predominantly fishing community wherein 35 percent of the population are poor.
PNA